Just going to tap myself in here..
I haven't heard to many Sony subwoofers, but like I saw wrote before anywhere is a start. Plus then you can start to compare. I had a Sony sub once that was kicking, but what an odd find.

The Energy idea sounds like a great one, but I haven't actually had any experience with them. I have a blown Dayton sub I'll be fixing and fitting into an old DA(Designer Acoustics) PS-SW enclosure. This will be a passive DVC woofer powered externally by an amplifier. Point being I haven't gone there yet either.

I'm wanting a sub for my set-up too. What I have sucks!

Don't let a bunch of over weight comic book sales guys hurt your feelings. I feel good knowing my head will still be attached to my body when I crawl into the noose.